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International Speakers Fund

Dr. Shar where the seminar was to take place, and we settled in to enjoy the newness of the
McGowan currently
teaches in three experience.
distinct university The Ella Reese Leadership Seminar, a 2-day leadership training event for
teacher education Arkansas State Organization members, started early on Monday morning. I had the
programs and is great privilege of meeting Ms. Ella Reese and heard her speak masterfully about
also a mental health DKG leadership. Other speakers and events filled the 2 days, and time dashed
therapist. In addition to past very quickly. I spoke on the topic of how to care for our mental health in my
being an International
Speaker for DKG, presentation, Light and Joy: Igniting Our Strength and Spark. As a mental health
she is vice president therapist, I encourage audiences to consider what weighs them down emotionally.
of Saskatchewan Through my presentation, I offer skillsets to overcome the adversities and obstacles
State Organization that seem to affect us all. I contend that intentional joy is possible for each one of
and president of its us even as we navigate daily pain, fear, grief, and guilt.
Regina Chapter. She The presentation was warmly received and sparked further uplifting connections
has also published a
peer-reviewed article and conversations during dinner. At the end of the 2-day seminar, my cup of learning
for the DKG Bulletin: about DKG leadership was bursting, as was my heart. In the span of the first hours
International Journal upon arriving in Arkansas, I had connected with and been lifted by new friends and
for Professional knew that the richness of the seminar would stay with me for a long, long time.
Educators and has Sadly, Ms. Reese passed away a short time after the seminar, on August 2,
been appointed to 2022. Of her accomplishments, the DKG Arkansas State Organization Facebook
the Society’s editorial
board for 2022–2026. page stated, “Ella graduated from Nashville High School in 1954. She later
smcgowan@sasktel. received her bachelor’s degree from Harding College Magna Cum Laude and
net a master’s degree from State College of Arkansas (UCA). She taught in the
Arkansas Public School System for 20 years. She was appointed to the first Board
of Directors of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts by
Governor Bill Clinton, where she served for 8 years. She served a term on the
Conway Planning Commission. She joined Theta Chapter of DKG in 1981. She
served as president of her local chapter and as the state organization president from
1997–1999. The Arkansas State Leadership Seminar is named after her.” Meeting
Ms. Reese had a profound impact upon me as I reflect upon all the women who
have inspired and mentored me in my own DKG journey.
The warmth of all those in attendance at the seminar is something I won’t
forget anytime soon. The affection was extraordinary as each member treated my
husband and me like we were treasured friends throughout our entire stay. We
reconnected with many of the Arkansas State Organization members at the 2022
International Convention in New Orleans a few weeks later, and I found myself
once again being astonished at how DKG friendship, even across the miles and
between countries, is to be cherished and adored. The kindheartedness of the
Arkansas State Organization members through the Ella Reese Leadership Seminar
experience taught me that, insofar as welcoming further DKG opportunities, my
response must always be yes!
Although my trip to Arkansas extended over two countries and 3,000 miles, I
learned that, among friends new and old, there really is no distance at all. In DKG,
the love and friendship shown by members of individual state organizations and
chapters narrows any gap of country or nationality. How we lift and encourage each
other through our global friendship is truly extraordinary and is to be cherished.

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